ciNPT in Autologous DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Following closure of the abdominal donor site, the closed incision will be dressed with the ciNPT system \[V.A.C.ULTA™ Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System (KCI, USA)\] applied by the operating surgeon in a sterile fashion (Figure 2). The ciNPT device will be set at -125mmHg of continuous negative pressure for a period of 7 days or until patient discharge from hospital. Removal of the ciNPT dressing will be performed by the surgical team at the time of discharge. Following removal, no additional dressings will be applied to the abdominal incision unless clinically indicated secondary to dehiscence.

Following closure of the abdominal donor site, the closed abdominal incision will be dressed with 1-inch Micropore™ Surgical Tape (3M, USA) with an alcohol swab applied to the tape for additional adhesion, by the operating surgeon in a sterile fashion. This dressing will remain in-situ for up to 7 days or until patient discharge from hospital. Removal of the traditional tape dressing will be performed by the surgical team at the time of discharge. Following removal, no additional dressings will be applied unless clinically indicated secondary to dehiscence.

All patients enrolled in the study will undergo DIEP breast reconstruction and have their abdominal incision sutured according to routine clinical practice. At the Hamilton sites, we will use 3-0 VICRYL ® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep fascia closure, 4-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep dermal closure, and 5-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for subcuticular closure. At the London sites, we will use 2-0 VICRYL ® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep fascia closure, 3-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep dermal closure, and 4-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for subcuticular closure.